Chinese, American museums swap shows

A delegation of 80 Chinese museum leaders will meet with their American counterparts at the American Alliance of Museums’ Annual Meeting in Seattle from May 18 through May 21 to strike deals on specific exhibitions that can travel between the two countries.

China|Connect, a program sponsored by AAM, is dedicated to traveling exhibitions to and from China and building global partnerships. Each year, leading Chinese museum professionals meet with American colleagues to exchange ideas on best practices in exhibition, education, and management.

More than 20 Chinese museums of art, cultural heritage, and science will attend this year’s China|Connect program, representing Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities across China. One of them, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, will be looking for American venues for a groundbreaking exhibition it has organized featuring 70 contemporary artists from all around the world. China|Connect will premiere the show at its Exhibition Marketplace in Seattle, a program it created to encourage museums to work together.

“America is pivoting to Asia — economically, geopolitically, and culturally,” said AAM president Ford W. Bell. “Museums are likewise intent on forging stronger ties with our counterparts in Asia. This will be an essential vehicle in creating similar collaborations, which in turn will foster greater understanding across our two cultures.” (end)